CEA Praises Supreme Court for Hearing Aereo Case

Win for Aereo is a win for consumer rights and innovation

January 13, 2014 04:27 PM Eastern Standard Time

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States announced that it will
hear a lawsuit brought by the nation’s largest television broadcasters
against Aereo, the innovative streaming video service. The Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA)® today issued the following
statement regarding the announcement on behalf of CEA President and CEO
Gary Shapiro:

“We are glad that the Supreme Court has taken this case, and we hope
that it will rule for Aereo, innovation and consumers.

“The U.S. federal government has given local television broadcasters
billions of dollars in valuable public spectrum. In return, broadcasters
are required to make free over-the-air (OTA) television available to
anyone in their geographic area. Aereo simply allows viewers in the
broadcaster’s area the flexibility and choice to watch that very same
free television programming on tablets, smartphones, computers, and
other new products.

“Broadcasters' contention that watching free OTA television via a remote
service is somehow infringing ignores the law, precedent and their
obligation to provide free over-the-air broadcasting. A Supreme Court
ruling in favor of the broadcasters would undercut the Court's
Cablevision decision, which has unleashed a wave of investment and
innovation in the cloud computing industry. Such a decision would lock
in legacy technologies, and prevent viewers from taking advantage of
mobile and other products that we already take for granted.

“It is notable that this case comes before the Supreme Court as we
celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Court’s landmark decision in
the Sony Betamax case. In Sony, the Court ruled on behalf of consumer
rights and innovation, as we urge them to do in Aereo. Indeed, Aereo is
just the latest in a line of innovations that broadcasters claimed would
kill their industry. Instead, cable TV, the Betamax and the DVR gave the
broadcasters new revenue streams and new audiences.

“Some television networks have claimed they will halt OTA broadcasting
if Aereo is found to be legal. If these networks do not believe that
broadcasting is a viable business, we encourage them to relinquish their
spectrum for wireless Internet and other productive uses.

“New technologies arrive, human progress moves forward, and society
benefits. No industry has the right to have its existing model preserved
unchanged forever. If the broadcasters wish to be a successful
digital-age industry, they must embrace innovation, not litigation.”

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the technology trade
association representing the $208 billion U.S. consumer electronics
industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA
membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical
training and education, industry promotion, standards development and
the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and
produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All
profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA
online at www.CE.org,
www.DeclareInnovation.com
and through social
media.